Today’s Route: Route 1 to route 3 to Acadia National Park Loop Road to West St. to Bar Harbor Town Pier! The End!
Today: 37 miles. Total miles: 4504 Riding time: 3 hrs 16 min
Elevations: Orland: 197’ Bar Harbor: 83’ Atlantic Ocean: Sea Level!
Total ascent: 2410’ Total descent: 2484’
Calories: 2432 Avg speed 11.43 mph Max speed 34 mph
Today’s ride took me through pretty country, particularly from Ellsworth to Bar Harbor. Road conditions were good – great shoulder along route 1 up to the southern end of Ellsworth, then no shoulder through town city streets with lots of tourist traffic for about 2-3 miles of careful riding; intermittent good shoulder on Route 3 all the way to Bar Harbor. Entered the Loop Road at Acadia National Park which took me to West Road and down to the town pier at West and Main in Bar Harbor. Ride was hilly with light traffic on Route 1 which got heavier as I approached Mt. Desert Island. Left Orland under cloudy skies around noon and got rained on lightly several times; ended the day with ideal biking weather.
A Great Ending to a Great Ride!!! At the pier in Bar Harbor, I was greeted by Jeanne and our friend Dave and reps from three area agencies: Sgt. Shaun Farrar and Officer Jacob Day, Bar Harbor PD; Maine Game Wardens Philip Richter and Eric Rudolph; and National Park Service Rangers Dave Smith and Robert Toler. Reporters from CBS and NBC TV in Bangor, Me were also there for a “finale” interview! Had good, easy access to the beach to dip the front wheel of my bike in the Atlantic Ocean!
Ironically, another couple watching the “finale production” at the pier turned out to be from Bethlehem PA, where I was the Chief Probation Officer back in the late 60′s! It truly is a small world!
Drove back to Costigans in Orland for a dual celebration dinner: Myrtle’s birthday (Flora’s sister) and the completion of Oregon to Maine for C.O.P.S.! Flora makes the best crab rolls in Maine! Being in the company of good friends to end the ride really made this day special for us!
From beginning on May 25th to ending today on October 1st, it was a great ride! I may even do it again – but would consider taking a different route to see more of the country!
Hmmm. . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Orland on the last leg of my Oregon to Maine journey. . .
"Maybe I can catch him!"
On the Loop Road in Acadia National Park. . .
Spectacular view of the harbor from the Loop Road overlook!
With my good friend Dave Costigan!
Dipping my front tire in the Atlantic Ocean to officially end the trip!
Media interview with NBC and CBS affiliates from Bangor ME!
A look of contentment. . .
Left to right: Jim; National Park Service Rangers David Smith and Robert Toler; Maine Game Wardens Philip Richter and Eric Rudolph; Officer Jacob Day and Sgt. Shaun Farrar, Bar Harbor PD.
Officer Jacob Day, Bar Harbor PD, completes the TV interview!
What a setting for an ending!
With friend Dave, looking toward the future! I wonder what's next???
Stay tuned for the the next leg of the journey. . .
Quote for the Day: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost (1874 – 1963) from “The Road Not Taken”
CONGRATULATIONS!
Job well done. Can’t wait to see you.
Congratulations!!
We are proud of both of you and share your joy upon the completion this journey.
The Frost quote was a great choice for the last days ride.
Safe travels.
Woo-hoo!! Congratulations on your successful journey. I know you both met thousands of people along the way and they are all better for it. Your progress was formidable and I really enjoyed checking in on you as you made your way across this great nation. So glad that you made this effort for COPS and we couldn’t be prouder of you. Please keep in touch and we’ll look forward to meeting up with again in the future. Happy Birthday, Jim.
Mark and Leslye Muir
I kept checking and only saw an entry for October 10. It didn’t seem clear that you had finished!! Now I read that you finished on October 1st. We send a huge CONGRATULATIONS! you two…a wonderful and worthwhile accomplishment. And yes, what a setting for the end. Somehow I don’t think you will go quietly into that dark night…there will always be another hill to climb and a cause to help. Take care…Wanda and Pau